The mustangs closed the distance between us rapidly. Against the wind the tail of each was straight, pointing at the clods and dust behind. Manes were flagging wildly. In the short time I had I put my camera in its pack, checked to make sure the GPS was activated on my cell–my wife makes me do that–then placed it in the pack, zipped it up and tossed it to the side a few feet. What they say is true, about thinking about your life when death may be imminent. I thought of my family and my transgressions and the things I would change if I had a do-over. It was quick-fire thought and clear. I heard the approaching horses, but my mind had images of other life matters. I did not think about the good I have done. I don’t know if that is normal. I don’t know if a person is supposed to plead, to level the scales of good and bad, or tip it to the good. It did not matter, at the time. It seemed that in the wild there is no place for worrying about what comes next, after the end. There is only the current, the instant where you are bare before the universe. It had been a long day, full of hours that were unremarkable, no longer available. It was dusk when the mustangs came, galloping across a range that has been grazed nearly bare. The quake from their hooves stronger with each stride. I turned to stone, to granite, in hope they would pass, but they did not. The group stopped and sniffed and nuzzled me. They were tame. They liked the smell and licked my leather jacket to get a taste of it. I have no photo of the happening to download, only stiff, hot coffee from the thermos in my truck, the shame of fearing friendly beasts and the realization that my age is sprinting ahead of me. Faster than the gallop of the mustangs.
Steve Meador has three books of poetry published, the full length “Throwing Percy from the Cherry Tree” and two chapbooks, A Good Sharp Knife and Pack Your Bags. His work appears regularly in print or online journals, resulting in numerous nominations for awards. However, he has yet to see his name at or near the top of any list, so, he continues to sell homes, in the Tampa area, for a living.